156 



COTTON-WOOL. 



Mr. Tucker's Fifth. In coiisequence of the defects of the 

 machinery, the essential oil of the seed is liable 

 to be expressed and suffused over the cotton, to 

 the injury of its colour and quality. 



Sixth. The cotton being produced generally at 

 a greater distance (in some instances not less than 

 one thousand miles) from the place of export, and 

 the state of the rivers at the season of gathering 

 the crop not admitting of its being conveyed the 

 whole distance by water, it is frequently ware- 

 housed for months at intermediate stations, and a 

 whole season is often lost before it can be packed 

 and screwed for exportation. 



Seventh. During its progress to the place of 

 export in loose bags or bales, partly by land and 

 partly by water, it is much exposed to the in- 

 clemency of the weather ; the bales are often ren- 

 dered wet or damp * by the heavy rains which 

 prevail in tropical climates, and the cotton seldom 

 arrives at its place of destination without some 

 discoloration and partial damage, incidental to 

 its conveyance in open carts and ill secured boats, 



during 



the process of cleaning the wool ought to be well executed ; 

 but the churker (or cylinders) used for separating the wool 

 from the seed is a very rude machine, and leaves much to be 

 done by the hand. 



* It has been alleged, that the natives sometimes " damp " 

 the cotton in order to increase its weight ; but the defect may 

 be referred, with greater probability, to other causes. 



